Important decisions loom front and center for houses of worship in Greater Cincinnati.The risks of reopening doors are getting a lot of scrutiny by those who hold the keys.Whether it's a church, mosque or synagogue, they all pray they'll strike the right balance.Henry Hand, the executive director of the Islamic mosque in West Chester, said as of right now, there is no firm reopening date set yet."We are working on a plan step-by-step to ensure safety," Hand said.Asked if he would have a date to announce by the end of the month, Hand thought it would more likely be in June.Crossroads Church said moving forward, they don't have plans to reopen buildings in Ohio or Kentucky for weekend services for quite some time. Officials said that plan could change based on what happens in the coming weeks. Like so many other places of worship, Crossroads has been conducting online services only.As religious leaders plan the reopening of in-person services, the one thing they know is that things will be different."We're going to be progressive, but we're also going to be cautious," said Reverend Matthew Young of St. Paul Episcopal in Newport.The 19th Century Stone Church is where Brent Spence and the Wiedemann family were once among the faithful.2020 requires a new faith in sanitizing, social distancing, removing hymnals and choirs and possibly even Communion. "I think you're going to see us giving multiple services for smaller amounts of people," said Young.At St. Michael Church in Sharonville, there was a sign of gallows humor for our times."Can we uninstall 2020 & install it again? This version has a virus," it reads.St. Michael can seat 700 inside, but said 350 will be the new limit.Guidance right now comes not only from the divine."What type of image does that send of a church saying I'm sorry, you're over the limit," commented Fr. Ed Burns, the pastor. "So, we're considering using other spaces on the campus."The 19-county Archdiocese is leaving much of the decision-making up to individual parishes, but has set two guidelines in stone.There will have to be six feet of distance between worshippers, and parishes must follow whatever public health authorities decide.Jeremy Helmes developed guidelines for the Archdiocese. He is the Director of the Office for Divine Worship and Sacraments.He studied best practices in other states, saying, "A lot of parishes are going to opt, I think, for a one-way traffic pattern where everybody's going to enter through one door and exit through the other door."Of course, in-person worship could start this moment according to a court that overruled Kentucky's governor last week.But it sounds like those who conduct services want to first make sure they're fully prepared so the new normal can work long-term."So, somewhere in the middle of throwing caution to the wind and being so rigid that nothing can happen, probably therein lies the answer," noted Reverend Young.He emphasized the importance of focusing on "being the church instead of going to church."Rabbi Robert Barr of Beth Adam added "It's complex and a moving target."He likened it to being in an earthquake and not knowing which way to run.The last time he was in his synagogue was March 20.He said the Jewish Community will rely on reason, science and data when it comes to reopening. And, like other houses of worship, on Zoom and online technology.

Important decisions loom front and center for houses of worship in Greater Cincinnati.

The risks of reopening doors are getting a lot of scrutiny by those who hold the keys.

Whether it's a church, mosque or synagogue, they all pray they'll strike the right balance.

Henry Hand, the executive director of the Islamic mosque in West Chester, said as of right now, there is no firm reopening date set yet.

"We are working on a plan step-by-step to ensure safety," Hand said.

Asked if he would have a date to announce by the end of the month, Hand thought it would more likely be in June.

Crossroads Church said moving forward, they don't have plans to reopen buildings in Ohio or Kentucky for weekend services for quite some time. Officials said that plan could change based on what happens in the coming weeks.

Like so many other places of worship, Crossroads has been conducting online services only.

As religious leaders plan the reopening of in-person services, the one thing they know is that things will be different.

"We're going to be progressive, but we're also going to be cautious," said Reverend Matthew Young of St. Paul Episcopal in Newport.

The 19th Century Stone Church is where Brent Spence and the Wiedemann family were once among the faithful.

2020 requires a new faith in sanitizing, social distancing, removing hymnals and choirs and possibly even Communion.

"I think you're going to see us giving multiple services for smaller amounts of people," said Young.

At St. Michael Church in Sharonville, there was a sign of gallows humor for our times.

"Can we uninstall 2020 & install it again? This version has a virus," it reads.

St. Michael can seat 700 inside, but said 350 will be the new limit.

Guidance right now comes not only from the divine.

"What type of image does that send of a church saying I'm sorry, you're over the limit," commented Fr. Ed Burns, the pastor. "So, we're considering using other spaces on the campus."

The 19-county Archdiocese is leaving much of the decision-making up to individual parishes, but has set two guidelines in stone.

There will have to be six feet of distance between worshippers, and parishes must follow whatever public health authorities decide.

Jeremy Helmes developed guidelines for the Archdiocese. He is the Director of the Office for Divine Worship and Sacraments.

He studied best practices in other states, saying, "A lot of parishes are going to opt, I think, for a one-way traffic pattern where everybody's going to enter through one door and exit through the other door."

Of course, in-person worship could start this moment according to a court that overruled Kentucky's governor last week.

But it sounds like those who conduct services want to first make sure they're fully prepared so the new normal can work long-term.

"So, somewhere in the middle of throwing caution to the wind and being so rigid that nothing can happen, probably therein lies the answer," noted Reverend Young.

He emphasized the importance of focusing on "being the church instead of going to church."

Rabbi Robert Barr of Beth Adam added "It's complex and a moving target."

He likened it to being in an earthquake and not knowing which way to run.

The last time he was in his synagogue was March 20.

He said the Jewish Community will rely on reason, science and data when it comes to reopening. And, like other houses of worship, on Zoom and online technology.